12 with ties to Eagles up for Hall of Fame

DICK VERMEIL, Carl Hairston, Troy Vincent and Herschel Walker are among 12 modern-era candidates with ties to the Eagles who were nominated for the 2012 class of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Vermeil coached the Birds from 1976-82. Hairston, a defensive tackle, was with the team from '76-'83. Vincent, a cornerback, was an Eagle from 1996-2003, and Walker, a running back, played with Philly from '92-'94.

Cowher is eligible for the first time, as are players Keyshawn Johnson, Tiki Barber, Drew Bledsoe, Stephen Davis, Rod Smith, Will Shields and Mike Vanderjagt.

Altogether, 103 men are eligible; voting will take place in February the day before the Super Bowl in Indianapolis. From the original list of nominees, the selection committee will choose 25 semifinalists in November. That group of semifinalists will be further reduced by a mail ballot to 15 modern-era finalists and announced in early January.

The final list of candidates also will include two senior nominees: former Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Jack Butler and former Detroit Lions guard Dick Stanfel.

Between four and seven enshrinees will be announced on Feb. 4, and will be inducted in August.